🔊 The upcoming clash between the Italy and Romania U21 teams in the opening round of Group A at the Euro U21 promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both squads topped their respective qualifying groups, yet they arrive at the tournament with differing outcomes from their warm-up matches. So, who stands as the favorite in this matchup?
Italy U21 Team Overview
The team's last match was on in a friendly encounter (hosts - Italy U21, visitors - Denmark U21). The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Here are the match statistics (Italy U21 vs Denmark U21):
- possession: 54% vs 46%;
- corners: 7 vs 7;
- yellow cards: 0 vs 4;
- shots on target: 8 vs 2.
Italy find themselves in Group A alongside tournament hosts Slovakia, as well as Spain and Romania. It's worth noting that the Azzurri navigated the qualifiers with confidence, finishing top of their group without a single defeat across ten matches: six wins and four draws. During the qualifiers, Italy netted 27 goals—averaging more than 2.5 goals per game—while conceding just four, which is under 0.5 goals per match. However, their recent form in pre-tournament friendlies has raised some eyebrows, with three draws and one loss in four outings.
Romania U21 Team Overview
The visitors played their last match on in a friendly encounter (host: Romania U21, guests: Georgia U21). The match concluded with a 1-0 scoreline.
Here are the match statistics (Romania U21 vs Georgia U21):
- possession: 46% vs 54%;
- corner kicks: 2 vs 0;
- yellow cards: 1 vs 0;
- shots on target: 1 vs 0.
The "Tricolors" also topped their qualifying group, but unlike the Italians, they couldn't avoid defeats: seven wins, one draw, and two losses over ten matches. Offensively, the team showed consistency, netting 23 goals (averaging more than two per game), while defensively, they conceded 10 goals—an average of one per match. In preparation for the Euro finals, the Romanians played three friendlies: securing narrow victories over Portugal and Georgia, and suffering a loss to the Netherlands (0-2).
Prediction for the 1st half
Head-to-head matches:
- Total encounters – 1;
- First-half wins by the home team (at home) – 0; by the away team (on the road) – 1; number of draws – 0;
- Average first-half total: 3;
- Today's home side averages 1 goal, while the visitors average 2.
- Italy U21 have scored in the first half in 8 of their last 9 matches.
- Italy U21 have scored in the first half at home in 7 of their last 8 matches.
Outcome Prediction
Outcome Prediction
Head-to-Head:
- Number of encounters – 1;
- Home wins – 1, Away wins – 0, Draws – 0.
- Romania U21 cover a +1.5 handicap in 15 of their last 16 away matches.
- Romania U21 cover a +1.5 handicap in 11 of their last 12 matches overall.
Total Goals Prediction
Head-to-Head
- Home side average goals – 4, Away side – 2;
- Average total goals in head-to-head matches – 6;
- Both teams scored: all-time – 1 time; at the home ground – 1 time.
- Romania U21 score in 9 of their last 10 matches.
Corners Prediction
- Average total corners in head-to-head matches – 17 (Home side – 15, Away side – 2);
- Average total corners at the home ground – 17 (Home side – 15, Away side – 2).
Both Teams to Score Prediction
Head-to-Head:
- Number of encounters – 1;
- Both teams scored all-time – 1 time;
- At the home ground – 1 time.
Editor's Prediction
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